(Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014) -- The Board of Trustees of the Dayton Metro Library on Wednesday awarded a construction contract to Lewaro Construction for renovation of the E.C. Doren Branch Library located at 701 Troy Street. It is the first of 18 new or renovated facilities in the Libraries for a Smarter Future project made possible by strong community support for a $187 million bond issue in 2012.

A Minority Business Enterprise, Lewaro Construction is public-sector certified through the United States Small Business Administration's 8(A) business development program.

"Local voters made this project possible, so I am very pleased that a Dayton minority-owned business will be the general contractor," said Tim Kambitsch, Executive Director of the Dayton Metro Library.

Improvements being made to the E.C. Doren Branch Library include a much needed meeting room. Moving mechanical systems to the basement will free space for distinct areas for adults, teens, and children. The Children's Room will have a small stage and more flexibility for programs. The capstone of the renovation is the addition of a walled garden terrace for outdoor reading and programming.

The E.C. Doren Branch will close on Monday, Monday, March 3, and reopen on Tuesday, March 4, at its temporary location, 359 Maryland Avenue, formerly a fire station and the site of the old Northeast Priority Board. The branch is expected to operate out of this location for approximately one year.

All E.C. Doren Branch Library services will continue to be available at the temporary location including computer access and materials, although the collection will be limited. The smaller collection will feature popular titles with bright "Check Me Out" stickers to make them easier to find.

"We are almost as excited about the move as we are the completed renovation," said Jonathan Cline, E.C. Doren Branch Manager. "The old priority board building is being fixed up nicely for us and we'll put it to good use."

Library and community representatives will mark the start of construction at a "First Nail" ceremony on Wednesday, March 19, 10:30 a.m. at the 701 Troy Street location. The media is invited to attend the brief program and reception.

"We're eager to get the project started," said Kambitsch. "With the hammering of the first nail at E.C. Doren, the whole system-wide project is officially underway."

The E.C. Doren Branch is the oldest branch of the Dayton Metro Library system. It was named after pioneering librarian Electra Collins Doren who oversaw many milestones of national significance during her tenure as head librarian at the turn of the 20th century. She died shortly before the branch which bears her name was opened in 1928. The E.C. Doren Branch Library remains one of relatively few public buildings in the United States named after a woman.